Royal Holloway's Independent Student Newspaper

The term ahead

An interview with our Students’ Union sabbatical officers gave an insight in the many varied events that will be taking place across this term.

First up on Friday the 22nd is Development Day, a chance for companies including Camp America and Duke of Edinburgh to visit and give students advice on what they can do to ‘boost’ their CV’s.

For Charlotte Bassam-Bowles, Vice President Education and Welfare, it’s Rag Week that has got her all excited this term. From the 25th to the 29th of January, “Holloway’s Got Talent” and the “Slave Auction” are making a comeback while we’ll be introduced to all new “Eggheads” and “UV Night” all in the name of charity. Events Officer, Amy Richards, says ‘Its going to be good fun, a whole week of events raising money can only be a good thing!’

The Unscene Festival, coming to the Jane Holloway Hall on January 30th, see’s the Drama Society collaborate with the Writing Society to produce three plays. With a chance to see some exceptional talent, this event is likely to sell out quickly. The Drama Society is also presenting a love story, Tristan and Yseult. Appropriately running just before Valentine’s Day, it plays from the 10th to the 12th of February. In the same week, Musical Theater Society present their production, The Belittled Mermaid, an amusing twist on the Disney classic.

From February 3rd, campaign aides will be descending on the campus hoping to sway your vote in SU Elections – with next year’s Sabbatical Officer Positions being decided. Presenting the greatest opportunity to influence your student union, this is not an event to be passed up.

David Cummins, our Vice President Communications and Services, chose Go Green Week, running from the 8th to the 12th of February, as his most anticipated event for this term, saying “we want environmental and ethical responsibilities to stand out on campus in a big way”.

Emma Montague, Vice President Student Activities, is particularly excited with the Societies and Colours balls, 13th of February and the 20th of March respectively.

The Big Spring Clean from the 24th to the 26th of February will hopefully see a troop of eager volunteers determined to clear and clean up our surrounding areas. Clubs and societies are encouraged to sign up in groups, but anyone is welcome.

Our Students’ Union President, James Pigeon, is particularly excited about Culture Week running between the 1st and 5th of March. A new addition to the events list, this week promises to have events representing all cultures both British and international cultures. In the same week the drama society revisits the stage in Disappear Completely and Never be Found. President Emily Simpson describes how “this extraordinary play follows one man’s desperate attempts to buck the system, and asks what really makes us who we are in the 21st century”.

And last but not least on this impressive lineup, President of the Savoy Opera Society, Peter Quigley, spoke to me about their upcoming production The Sorcerer: ‘Weaving together a magical theme inspired by the Victorian fascination with the occult, and romantic mismatches in the style of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, this darkly comic show is filled with memorable musical numbers!’ In the SU Main Hall from the 6-8th of March, Savoy will undoubtedly deliver an entertaining evening.